Everyone’s Talking Contingent

10 September 2013
by:
Subadhra Sriram

Welcome to the 2013 CW Solutions Forum and CWS Summit, our biggest ever. Eight years after the first conference, the Summit has become the networking event for CW professionals. So what does this “biggest ever” claim mean for the buyer and supplier of contingent labor? Bragging rights aside, big is obviously good. It means growth, opportunity and $.

But more important, here are a few facts about growth in the contingent workforce world that this conference highlights:

Big crowds. 800+ attendees is evidence of the professionalization of this occupation.

Spreading out. 21 percent growth in global VMS spend is further proof that this phenomenon may have started in the United States but it is growing worldwide.

Mega programs. The upsurge of the mega programs, programs with spend of more than 300 million are becoming more common. We are now aware of 62 such programs.

New work arrangements. Evolving staffing models that could help the buyer with staff augmentation. For example, online staffing has the potential for radical economies and is projected to grow 60 percent in 2013.

SOW is the future. Buyers are indicating strong interest in doing more SOW and it fits in with the goals of many talented workers who want to maintain their independence.

RPO is back. Earlier dismissed by many as vaporware, we now have the percent of buyers using recruitment process outsourcing increasing by more than four times since 2005.

Growth is the mantra in this universe. “What we are seeing is the breaking down of the compartmentalization of employees and contingents to a single integrated more effective workforce that is also indicative of future growth,” says Jason Ezratty, president of Brightfield Strategies and an industry veteran. It’s going to be a fun-filled action-packed week. Follow me on twitter @subadhra_cws to get regular updates.

Staffing Industry Analysts is the global advisor on contingent work. Known for its independent and objective insights, the company's proprietary research, award-winning content, data, support tools, publications, and executive conferences provide a competitive edge to decision-makers who supply and buy temporary staffing.